I've been modelling, painting miniatures and wargaming since I was a wee lad in Swansea, this blog details some of my interests - I hope that you like it.
In 2010 I started a new modelling venture - building 40mm AWI/ACW terrain pieces and designing 28mm masters, which are then cast and available for sale from Grand Manner. - All original images and text are copyright of A. S. Harwood (Dampfpanzerwagon)

Thursday, 18 November 2010

Portuguese Cazadores - a total dissaster

I am almost in tears - that or wanting to punch someone! In an attempt to matte down the finish on my Portuguese Cazadore, I thought I would brush paint the miniature with Tamiya Colour Flat Base X-21. What could possibly go wrong?

Well this is the result, I mixed it up well, brush painted it on and then looked on in horror as the miniature clouded over, a sort of Milky White film that dried to a perfectly good matte finish but ruined my painted miniature!

In an attempt to remove it and reading the label - water soluble, I rinsed the whole miniature under the tap, but even with some mild detergent (washing up liquid) and a soft brush. This is the result!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For anyone reading this - DO NOT USE TAMIYA FLAT BASE X-21 AS A MATTE VARNISH!

I am at this moment so despondent that I am not sure I have the will to strip the model and re-paint it, I certainly don't have the time.

Tony

PS.

I have written and re-written this post a number of times, taking out all the expletives. I actually feel physically sick. "Thank you Tamiya for making it so clear, for example - DO NOT APPLY WITH A BRUSH. After all why would anyone think that it is acceptable to sell a acrylic paint (Flat Base) and in a paint pot, that turns painted models white?"

I had similar disasters many years ago with Humbrol enamel matt that worked perfectly then ruined a whole unite of orcs and US armour. It's also happened with GW spray (once on a birthday present for Saul)

The gloss varnish does work but for some inexplicable reason the white can come back when re-matted (this happened on my WW1 Germans).

Sorry to hear about the varnishing disaster,this happened to me recently on a large amount of models and I switched to a matt varnish spray and sprayed the models again a day later and it sorted the problem.

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About Me

Born and brought up in Swansea, South Wales, I now live in Droitwich with my wife Sue. My daughter Holly is now working as a teacher in Stourport. My son, Gary lives in Leamington Spa with his Wife Beckie and our two Grandsons Finley and Charlie, but I still think of myself as a 'Jack' (an in-joke known to those of a certain age who count Swansea as their home town). Like my Grandfather, my Father and Uncle, I have made models, painted toy soldiers and wargamed since I was a very young boy and now feel privileged that I have the time to dedicate to my hobby. This Blog is a great way recording how I have developed as a modeller, but it's not ALL about model making. I hope you enjoy it. Tony